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Original poster

So I had this child from the local Catholic church for a playdate...

133 replies

SweetSkull · 02/11/2013 11:52

We were playing school and they decided it was assembly time.

So Catholic Child (7) stood up and started speaking about catholic faith and Jesus, and how Catholics are wonderful people who help whoever is in need and the elderly, and how Jesus will bless all the Christians when they die and they will all go to heaven, and how it is important to be a Christian and go to Catholic Church and say prayers regularly.

Than Muslin Child (6) followed saying that she is a Muslin and so is her family and lots of her friends and they are also good people who help the ones in need and the elderly too, and it doesn't matter your religion or which church you go to as long and we respect each other and don't do bad things.

Than Catholic child was embarrassed and said that she meant to say everything Muslin child said....

Than my own child (6) stands up and do a comedy piece that got nothing to do with religion.

I was just astounded that these children shows so much religion awareness at this age and the Catholic child would feel the urge to bring religion in the playing, although I understand this is probably what happens all the time at her school.
I am so glad my daughter doesn't go to that school.
I am very proud of the Muslin girl and she just goes to a mixed community school, which seems that is doing a better job about teaching R.E

Oh and I have had the catholic child for a sleep over once and she had trouble falling asleep since I couldn't pray and sing christian songs exactly like her parents do every night. I did my best.

I can't help feeling a bit sorry for this kid.

And I am Christian by the way.

Oh and forgot to say: Catholic girl spent most of half term in her house in order not to be exposed to Halloween stuff going on and in fact on Halloween day they never left the house because apparently this a bad and heavy day when lots of evil things happens.

I am not mad at halloween either and I don't go trick or treating mainly because I am on the shy side but I am solo glad there are Halloween activities going on during the half term.

OP posts:
holycowwhatnow · 03/11/2013 12:17

Halloween started in Ireland (or at least we claim it). It marks the Celtic festival of Samhain. Then when the Christians came, they tried to make it christian by tying it in with all souls day on nov1st. I grew up in Ireland when it was VERY catholic and Halloween was one of the biggest day in every child's year. I'm now a very lapsed Catholic but threads like this get my goat.

lonnika · 03/11/2013 12:20

As I said before - don't worry OP many people think they are superior to others due to a variety of things., class, education, wealth, race etc a from the sounds of it she will do just fine - she agreed with the Muslim child so she can'see' things from others point of view - I would suggest she will alter her views as she grows older and will turn out great :).

Original poster
SweetSkull · 03/11/2013 12:36

Well I dont think that teaching children they are superior for whatever reason is just fine. But I agree to disagree with you. Also I think I have the right to be sad that a narrow religious view brought up by a guest child at a playdate in my own house could potentially cause distress to another child from a different religion. Same way I have the right to feel proud when instead of feeling inferior the other child stood up for herself and her beliefs. I am also entitled to my own feelings and have the right to discuss this here even if you think it is pointless.

OP posts:
ninah · 03/11/2013 12:40

I think it sounds like a great discussion among the dc, tbh. They sorted it out themselves. No issue.

HellMouthCusty · 03/11/2013 12:41

the catholic halloween thing is a myth. it is the eve of all saints day and so celebrated - anyone who doesn't know this - as a catholic is a misinformed twat

in fact it could be argued that trick and treating originated from soul cakes - which used to be baked and then kids would go door to door for them - this is in the middle ages.

ninah · 03/11/2013 12:44

I teach at a Catholic school where Hallowe'en isn't allowed a mention. Was similar at my last school (C of E) too. Am not a big fan of Hallowe'en myself, but I never really got why.

Original poster
SweetSkull · 03/11/2013 13:06

I mentioned the halloween to show how this child is living a 'sheltered' life because of religion. Not participate in halloween festivities is fine. Not leaving the house to avoid exposure to halloween merchandising not so fine.

OP posts:
lonnika · 03/11/2013 15:25

The Halloween thing sounds dodgy but not a catholic teaching as far as I am aware. In fact my bf is a practising catholic with strict catholic views and she took her dc trick or treating. NB her dc go to a catholic school and she went out with another 'school' mum and her children.

As for the sheltered life - I don't think so - really sheltered would not being able to 'mix' with children from different religions

sashh · 03/11/2013 17:55

OP

Love the idea of your child doing the comedy sketch.

Oblomov · 03/11/2013 18:04

Ds's at catholic school. They discuss all religions lovingly. And know that many people do not believe in any god or have any following.
Ds1 visited a Sikh temple last week.
So I don't think your findings are across the board.

Original poster
SweetSkull · 03/11/2013 18:31

sassh I was so shocked by the other girls ability to discuss religion that at that time and even now I don't know what to make of my daughter's reaction.

OP posts:
Original poster
SweetSkull · 03/11/2013 18:39

Ionnika, I said 'sheltered' life more for lack of better word. Did you notice the " ".?

And to be honest the only time this child have contact with non Christian people is when she is with me because her mum doesn't mix. In fact if I wasn't Christian myself she wouldn't be such a close friend, I don't think.

OP posts:
ixqic · 03/11/2013 22:28

"Not leaving the house to avoid exposure to halloween merchandising not so fine."
For this reason alone I don't want to leave the house. Grin

"the only time this child have contact with non Christian people is when she is with me because her mum doesn't mix"
Then I should think that her mum will fall out with you when she finds out you are exposing her to muslins. Hmm

Original poster
SweetSkull · 03/11/2013 22:41

nope. she knew this muslim friend is always around and she knew muslim friend was already with me when she asked for the play date. funny how her religious priorities change when she is in need, hence the sleep over.

did also not leave the house on Halloween day fearing something evil and sinister would happen?

OP posts:
DioneTheDiabolist · 04/11/2013 19:16

Well her mum obviously does mix. She mixed sufficiently with you in the park to trust you enough to look after her DD overnight. I have never met anyone in the park that I have swapped numbers with, nevermind develop such a strong friendship.

lonnika · 04/11/2013 20:01

MMM lots of inconsistencies

If her family were religious zealots then they would not compromise this for 'childcare' :)

Original poster
SweetSkull · 04/11/2013 20:20

Dione that is your experience. It does not mean everyone's is the same.
Pretend you are at a playground in a area/country you have just moved in, you are a foreigner and does not speak the language and have no many friends leaving near by. Now you meet someone who is from your country, speak your language and also has similar religious belief (at least the main part which is Christianism). On top of that your children are similar age and get on well together. See how it was easy to exchange numbers and develop a friendship? She didn't send her daughter for a sleep over straight away, but after a year or so.

Ionnika yep inconsistencies. You want to believe I am a liar. Fine.

OP posts:
MeMySonAndI · 04/11/2013 20:24

I'm surrounded by Catholics, some are very religious, some are moderate and most, like me, are non practicing Catholics. My son attends a catholic school and I have not encountered a child like the one you mention... But once.

I was putting them to bed during a sleepover, and she (5 yr old) fell quite dramatically on her knees by the side of a bed for her prayers then looked back at DS and recoiled in horror before saying WHAT?!?!? doesn't he pray at night??? there was such intensity in her words I still cringe at the memory. Her mum was very verbal about her belief that Catholics hold the absolute truth. Admittedly she belonged to the Opus but... I suppose every religion has its share of fanatical/extremist people...

ethelb · 05/11/2013 09:56

It's odd that you had a catholic round who behaved like a particuarly 'heavy going' christian from an evangelical church about halloween. Hmm

Original poster
SweetSkull · 05/11/2013 11:11

I'm not sure about what you are trying to say nor what you are implying by saying "it's odd"

Honestly I can't comprehend why some people here are having hard time in believing in my OP.

Also bare in mind that these child's parents are Catholics from other country so their way to practicise their faith might be not similar to the way people are used to do overhere. They also travel to the city centre every weekend to worship with people from their country is this special group created from and to immigrants from this particular country, when there are plenty of Catholic churches near where they live...even the church in front of the school their child go to....but I can not comment further on Catholic practices differing between countries since I'm not Catholic. However I visited their group once after their baby baptism and during a prayer after the ceremony, some people spoke in languages, whatever it means.....there were also some singing and dancing involved and the priest wasn't participating, so I guess this isn't very traditional.

Also, in the country where they (we) come from, Halloween is not celebrated at all. It's not part of our culture and nobody cares, most people don't even know what it is.

OP posts:
ethelb · 05/11/2013 20:20

So now she is a child who goes ot the local catholic church who doesn't actually go to the local catholic church.

Are you sure they are catholic? That church sounds like an evangelical church.

msmiggins · 05/11/2013 20:27

Halloeen can be traced back much further than the beginnings of christianity.
silver-fish.hubpages.com/hub/halloween-turnips

Original poster
SweetSkull · 05/11/2013 21:02

Of course I am sure they are Catholic, my English isn't amazing but I am not dumb.

This family attends a catholic church that is at least 1 hour away from their home. It is a Catholic church with a Catholic priest. The reason why they are willing to travel there every week is because after the traditional mass, the immigrants congregate in a room and do their thing in their language.

They do go to the Catholic church situated in front of the Catholic school only when there is school function or they are invited for a Christening, 1st Communion, etc...

OP posts:
Oakmaiden · 05/11/2013 21:09

I think there are catholic schools and catholic schools, to be honest. I taught for one day (supply teacher) in a RC school, and it was VERY religious. An awful lot of praying and crossing themselves, and most of the lessons had a religious "slant" to them - in a fairly primary school way that is. As a confirmed atheist it was a true test of my professionalism...

SO I quite easily believe that this child's school might have things that the OP has mentioned going on in their assembly...

Oakmaiden · 05/11/2013 21:12

Though actually looking at the 2nd to last post from the OP - speaking in tongues and the priest not being the focus does NOT sound at all Roman Catholic... If I remember my history correctly, one of the main reasons for the protestant churches splitting off from the catholic was to do with the place of the priest a a conduit to God... or something to that effect...